Zambia suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in a fiercely contested TotalEnergies WAFCON Morocco 2026 Group C encounter, but the Copper Queens remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages. The match, played at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night, was decided by an early goal from Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala, whose clinical finish proved to be the difference between the two sides. Despite playing with a numerical advantage for much of the match, Zambia could not find the breakthrough they desperately needed. The result leaves Group C finely balanced ahead of the final round of fixtures, with Zambia knowing that victory over Malawi will be crucial to keeping their tournament hopes alive. Although the defeat was disappointing, the performance showed encouraging signs that the Copper Queens have the quality to challenge the continent’s top teams.
Nigeria made a fast start and capitalised on one of their earliest opportunities. In just the seventh minute, Asisat Oshoala raced onto a perfectly timed through ball before calmly beating goalkeeper Hazel Nali to hand the Super Falcons the lead. Earlier in the opening exchanges, Nali had already produced an excellent save to deny Oshoala, but the experienced striker was not to be denied for long. The goal gave Nigeria confidence and allowed the defending champions to settle into their game plan. Coach Nora Häuptle had opted to keep the same starting eleven that demolished Egypt 6-0 in Zambia’s opening fixture, while Nigeria made five changes after their defeat to Malawi, hoping to respond strongly after a difficult start to the tournament.
The Copper Queens gradually found their rhythm after conceding the early goal and enjoyed several promising spells of possession during the first half. Captain Barbra Banda continued to pose a threat with her pace and strength, forcing Nigeria’s defenders into several difficult situations. Midway through the opening period, Zambia believed they had won a dangerous free kick after Banda was brought down near the penalty area, but a VAR review overturned the referee’s initial decision. The dramatic moments continued just minutes later when another challenge on Banda resulted in Nigeria defender Oluwatosin Demehin initially receiving a yellow card. Following another VAR review, the punishment was upgraded to a straight red card after officials ruled that Demehin had denied Banda a clear goalscoring opportunity.
With Nigeria reduced to ten players, Zambia entered the second half knowing they had a significant opportunity to turn the match around. Coach Nora Häuptle quickly adjusted her tactics by introducing Enelesi Phiri, Evarine Katongo, Mercy Chipasula and Saliya Mwanza in an effort to increase attacking pressure. The Swiss coach was later forced into another change after striker Racheal Kundananji suffered an injury and had to leave the field. Zambia dominated possession throughout much of the second half and pinned Nigeria deep inside their own half for extended periods. However, despite creating several promising attacking situations, the Copper Queens lacked the finishing touch needed to break down the resilient Nigerian defence.
Nigeria defended with discipline and determination despite being a player short for most of the contest. The Super Falcons relied on their experience, organisation and disciplined defending to protect their slender lead until the final whistle. Zambia continued to push forward, creating pressure from wide areas and through the middle, but the final pass and finishing let them down at crucial moments. Nigeria’s defenders blocked shots, cleared dangerous crosses and frustrated Zambia’s attacking players whenever opportunities emerged. The defending champions showed why they remain one of Africa’s strongest women’s football teams by holding firm under sustained pressure.
Speaking after the match, Zambia coach Nora Häuptle admitted her side had missed a golden opportunity to defeat the reigning champions after gaining the numerical advantage. She said Zambia had controlled large portions of the game and created enough chances to secure all three points. According to Häuptle, the result was particularly frustrating because the opportunity to beat Nigeria was within her team’s reach. She immediately shifted her attention to Zambia’s final Group C match against Malawi, stressing the importance of collecting maximum points to remain in the competition. The coach made it clear that her squad is fully focused on preparing for the decisive encounter.
Striker Racheal Kundananji also remained optimistic despite the defeat and called on supporters to continue backing the team. She urged Zambians not to lose faith, reminding fans that the Copper Queens still have another opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages. Her message reflected the determination and confidence that continues to exist within the squad despite the setback against Nigeria. Defender Margaret Belemu echoed similar sentiments by highlighting the need for improvement at both ends of the field. The experienced defender acknowledged that Zambia must become more clinical in attack while maintaining defensive discipline if they are to succeed in the decisive final group match.
The Group C standings remain incredibly competitive heading into the final round of matches. Zambia sits second in the group on three points, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference, with everything still to play for. The Copper Queens now face Malawi on August 5, 2026, in what promises to be one of the most important matches of their WAFCON campaign. Victory would give Zambia a strong chance of progressing to the knockout stages and keeping alive their dream of continental success. While the defeat to Nigeria exposed areas that require improvement, it also demonstrated that the Copper Queens have the talent, resilience and fighting spirit to compete with Africa’s elite, setting the stage for a decisive and potentially unforgettable clash against Malawi.